Study of natural ventilation in wind tunnels and influence of the position of ventilation modules and types of grids on a modular façade system

Abstract

Natural ventilation requires no energy consumption, which can constitute 25% of a mechanically ventilated building, and both shape and position of inlets and outlets ventilation openings must be properly designed for better natural ventilation performance. Wind tunnel tests are a reliable tool for the determination of the effect of natural ventilation on buildings. This paper reports on results of wind tunnel tests conducted for the evaluation of the influence of the positioning and type of grid of ventilation modules on a façade system. Three ventilation modules were positioned below the window-sill (ventilated window-sill) and three were positioned above and below the façade. Ventilation modules with grid elements positioned vertically and horizontally were tested. Wind speed measurements that considered single-sided and cross ventilation were taken inside and outside the model for the different façade configurations for the evaluation of the best performance in relation to natural ventilation. The façade system proposed is movable and interchangeable, so that the same basic model can be used for the testing of possibilities for ventilation. The results show the use of six ventilation modules positioned below the window-sill and that form a "ventilated window-sill" with a horizontal grid is the best solution regarding natural ventilation. Such a configuration has proved the grid elements of ventilation modules exert a higher influence on the results than the positioning of modules on the façade. Therefore, better conditions of natural ventilation were obtained with a thin and horizontal positioning of the elements.